Hydrogen Protects Boar Sperm During Freezing and Thawing Process
- Authors
- S. Zhang, S. Ren, C. Wu, J. Dai, Y. Zhang, D. Zhang
- Journal
- Cryo Letters
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.54680/fr25310110512
- Study Type
- Pig
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Male Infertility
- Body System
- Reproductive System
TL;DR
Adding hydrogen to the solutions used before, during, and after freezing boar sperm helps keep the sperm healthier and more active after being thawed.
Key Finding
Hydrogen added to solutions used in the freezing-thawing process significantly improved post-thaw boar sperm viability, motility, and mitochondrial function while reducing oxidative damage.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen gas dissolved in solutions could protect pig sperm during the freezing and thawing process used in animal breeding. Researchers added hydrogen to three different solutions used before, during, and after freezing. They found that hydrogen improved sperm survival, movement, and function after thawing, and it reduced damage from harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that form during freezing.
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal study in pigs, not humans, so it cannot directly inform hydrogen water use for human health. While the results suggest hydrogen may have antioxidant (damage-fighting) properties in sperm preservation, this is a specialized application in animal breeding and does not establish benefits for drinking hydrogen water in humans.
Abstract
Background: Antioxidant is important to prevent ROS attack in boar sperm during the freezing-thawing process. Objective: To study whether hydrogen (H2) could improve the survival of boar sperm upon the freeze-thaw process. Materials and methods: The effects of hydrogen in pre-diluent, freezing extender and thawing solution were investigated. Sperm viability, progressive motility, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial activity, as well as the levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured. Results: Hydrogen in pre-diluent, freezing extender and thawing solution significantly improved sperm quality parameters (including sperm viability, progressive motility, acrosomal integrity and mitochondrial activity), increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) of post-thawed boar sperm. The use of hydrogen in all three solutions improved the quality of post-thawed boar sperm. Conclusion: Hydrogen protects boar sperm against ROS-induced damages during cooling and the freezing-thawing process.